Projects / Programmes
ADVANCED ELECTROCALORIC ENERGY CONVERSION
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 7.00.00 |
Interdisciplinary research |
|
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T200 |
Technological sciences |
Thermal engineering, applied thermodynamics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.03 |
Engineering and Technology |
Mechanical engineering |
electrocaloric effect, refrigeration, energy efficiency
Researchers (17)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The goal of the project is to design, numerically and experimentally verify and optimize the electrocaloric refrigeration device with the refrigeration power up to 50 W. This device can be later exploited for small refrigerators and will represent an advantage compared to equivalent compressor or sorption refrigerators. It will namely operate with higher energy efficiency. With silent operation and electrocaloric refrigerants it will represent environmentally friendly technology. The decision to design small refrigerator is based on the fact that conventional small hotel “minibar” refrigerators operate with very low efficiency. Such refrigerators are usually based on sorption technology, which uses heat and is in this particular case provided by electricity. Despite of the fact that also compressor refrigerators can be applied in hotels, these also operate with low efficiency, with too high noise level and application of environmentally harmful refrigerants. The research results of the project can therefore bring important basis for the future research and development of electrocaloric refrigeration, cooling, freezing, heat pumping and air conditioning.
With the project we will solve existing scientific problems of the electrocaloric refrigeration. These regard the lack of knowledge on processing of electrocaloric materials with electrodes into functional composite elements, the lack of experimental knowledge on thermodynamics and heat transfer and the lack of knowledge on prototyping of electrocaloric devices and their component parts.
The project will comprise four vertical and two horizontal Work packages. The project will start (WP1) with the study and characterization of ceramic materials and with the evaluation and selection of methods for processing of electrocaloric materials with electrodes. We will develop a numerical tool and find solutions for the design of electrocaloric regenerators. We will analyze the influence of the working fluid and for the pumping system as well as investigate different heat transfer mechanisms and thermodynamic cycles. In the WP2 we will construct the electrocaloric regenerator. We will also construct main components of the electriocaloric refrigerator. All the components will be integrated into the housing of the refrigerator. A system for control and regulation will be developed. In the WP3 we will build experimental loop and test the electrocaloric refrigerator. We will investigate and later optimize operating parameters of the refrigerator. With the obtained knowledge and previously developed numerical tool we will create algorithms for the optimal operation of the device. In the WP4 we will demonstrate the operation of the refrigerator at real conditions such are common for hotel “minibar” refrigerators. We will also develop the virtual demonstration environment. The fifth work package (WP5) regards dissemination of results and the sixth work package (WP6) regards the management of the project. Both work packages will horizontally run during all the project duration.
Significance for science
With the research and development of the electrocaloric refrigerator we will gain knowledge and experiences in domains of characterization of electrocaloric materials, processing of electrocaloric materials with electrodes, design and construction of electrocaloric regenerators and design and construction of electrocaloric devices. Especially in the last three domains there is a large lack of scientific knowledge and lack of experiences.
Based on the results of the project it will be possible to demonstrate, that the electrocaloric energy conversion presents a reliable alternative technology of the future, which, in comparison with other alternative technologies, shows the largest potential for future research activities. We think, that in the future, the energy-conversion devices (heating, cooling, power generation) will not include moving parts and will, at the same time, reach high energy efficiency with a small negative impact on the environment. Therefore, it is expected that the results of the project will have multiplicative effects and will present important basis for new fields in research and development, which concerns electrocaloric refrigeration, freezing, air-conditioning, heat pumps and development of electrocaloric devices for power generation. This can also have a large impact on the scientific community, which currently deals with conventional systems in the previously listed areas. The results of the project will therefore be a great basis to open new fields in science and technology.
Therefore, it will be very important, that in the frame of the activities, intendant for the presentation of the area of the electrocaloric cooling, the obtained knowledge is transferred to the next generations and to the wider international scientific community.
In the project we will also investigate different thermodynamic cycles. The results of the project will provide important information about possible improvements of working characteristic and energy efficiency of electrocaloric devices. Due to the analogy with other caloric technologies (magnetocaloric, elastrocaloric and barocaloric cooling), it exists the opportunity to transfer the important knowledge and experiences also to these domains.
Significance for the country
Importance for the company Gorenje d.d.
The research and development of the electrocaloric refrigerator represents an important global competitive advantage with new products with high added value. This can certainly influence also on opening of new jobs. The global market for hotel minibar refrigerators is estimated to be about 400 mio Euro. With the energy efficient product, the company Gorenje can become one of major global players in this particular domain.
Importance for the sector of cooling and refrigeration
Gorenje represents one of important and well established EU industries of different household appliances, i.e. refrigerators, freezers and even residential heat pumps. The knowhow on electrocaloric refrigeration can therefore be successfully applied also for the above mentioned products of Gorenje. The global commercial refrigeration equipment market accounted for $29.1 billion in 2012 and is expected to reach $46.6 billion in 2018, growing of about 8.2 percent from 2012 to 2018 (http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com).
Importance for society
With the help of dissemination of the project results, important information on efficient energy use and potential environmentally friendly solutions to existing refrigerants will be given to experts as well as the broader public. We will have opportunity to educate new generations of students and engineers in the domain of the electrocaloric energy conversion. This will be done by introduction of the topic into regular education process, and by the organization of summer schools. Because the project results will bring a multiplicative effect, the knowledge and experiences from the project results will be successfully transferred to other domains of caloric energy conversion (magnetocaloric, elastocaloric, barocaloric, multicaloric).
Most important scientific results
Interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report,
final report
